It varies widely, but typical US ranges: attorneys bill roughly $150–$400 an hour (Clio’s 2025 data puts the average near $349), and flat-fee document review commonly runs about $250–$800 for an NDA, $300–$450 for a residential lease, and $200–$500 for a business or employment contract. Complexity, market, and whether negotiation is included move the price a lot.
There’s no single number, but the ranges are knowable. Lawyers charge two main ways for reviewing a document. Hourly: general civil and transactional attorneys commonly bill in the $150–$400 range, with Clio’s 2025 Legal Trends data putting the national average around $349 an hour — higher in big metros, lower in rural markets. Flat fee, which many offer for a defined review: based on one legal marketplace’s (ContractsCounsel’s) reported data, a simple NDA review commonly runs about $250–$800 (often around $285–$370 average), a residential lease about $300–$450, and a business or employment contract roughly $200–$500, with employment agreements averaging higher (~$400+). Treat those flat figures as marketplace data that skews toward smaller transactional matters, not a government survey — real quotes vary with length, complexity, and especially whether the lawyer is just reading and advising versus redlining and negotiating, which can double or triple the cost. Initial consultations are their own thing: many lawyers offer them free, while others charge roughly $100–$300 (or their hourly rate) for the time. The practical takeaway: get a fixed quote up front, ask whether negotiation is included, and use a free first read to walk in knowing exactly which clauses you need looked at — so you’re paying for judgment, not for someone to read you the whole contract.
For a defined, routine review a flat fee is usually more predictable and often cheaper. Hourly makes sense when the work is open-ended — heavy negotiation or an unusual document. Ask for both and compare against the scope.
Length and complexity, your market, the attorney’s experience, and — the biggest swing — whether the engagement includes redlining and negotiation or is a read-and-advise only. The same NDA can be a few hundred dollars or several times that depending on scope.
Often, yes — many firms offer a free initial consultation, though a majority of firms charge for a deeper case review. Paid consults typically run about $100–$300 or the attorney’s hourly rate. Always confirm before booking.
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